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You Town, March 9, 2014

No, really. Go fly a kite this month and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and all the frustration/triumph that comes with getting the darned thing up in the air. Kite flying can be rewarding provided the planets are lined up properly, the breeze is just right, and Charlie Brown’s tree and those overhead power lines keep their distance.

Kites have been around for thousands of years, according to nationalkitemonth.org. The earliest written account of kite flying was about 200 B.C. when the Chinese General Han Hsin of the Han Dynasty flew a kite over the walls of a city he was attacking to measure how far his army would have to tunnel to reach past the defenses. Kites were used in 7th century Japan to avert evil spirits and to ensure rich harvests and smart guys Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell, and the Wright Brothers used them for various scientific reasons.

Go on, get outside and launch a kite. Not only does it bring out the inner child, but it can also make you look smarter.

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The firkin fundraiser last Monday at Kannah Creek Brewing Company raised $7,628.53 for Diabetes Counts that will help send families to Roundup River Ranch Type 1 family camp.

Past firkin fundraisers have brought in between $200 and $900. The next firkin fundraiser, happening April 7, will benefit Challenger Baseball.

Call 243-0702 for more information.

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As promised, I’ve included more corned beef and cabbage dinners in today’s column:

Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for ages 5–13 and ages younger than 5 are free. Proceeds will benefit veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. To RSVP or for more information, call Dianne at 523-0094.

■ Fruitvale Lions Club’s fifth annual St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage supper will be from 4–7 p.m. Saturday at Clifton Community Hall, 126 Second St., Clifton.

Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for ages 6–11 and free for ages 5 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance from Lions members.

Call Lance at 216-7695 for information and tickets.

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Susan Strickland will present a show of her fiber art quilts, representing 25 years of artistic work at the next Sunset Slope Quilters Guild meeting, at 9 a.m. Thursday at American Lutheran Church, 631 26 1/2 Road.

Visitors are welcome to attend.

Call 243-1143 for more information.

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St. Mary’s Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs will have an open house from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Thursday at 2530 N. Eighth St., Suite 102, Wellington 4 Building.

Light refreshments will be served during the opening of the organization’s new office space.

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The Knitting Club meets from 6–8 p.m. Tuesday at Community of Christ Church, 2880 B 1/2 Road.

The club meets the second Tuesday of each month and is open to all ages and skill levels. Yarn, looms, needles and hooks are available for use.

Call Naomi Barlow at 623-1455 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information.

Call Linda Gregory at 434-9378 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for information and reservations.

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Proceeds from the annual PH3 Race on March 16 at Powderhorn Mountain Resort will benefit the Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation, the Veterans Administration Medical Center Suicide Prevention Fund and the Colorado Mesa Cycling Team, in honor of Tim Sewell and in support of his family.

The 11.82-mile race combines biking, climbing skins or snowshoes and snowboards or skis with a total vertical gain of 4,138 feet and a vertical drop of 1,543 feet. Racers must be at least 16 years old, either as an individual or on teams. Early registration is available through Active.com for $40. Day of event registration is available at Powderhorn for $50.

Volunteers are also needed to assist at the event. Volunteers will receive a complimentary lift ticket for use any day for the remainder of the current season.

Call John Messinger at 268-5158 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for information.

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Friendship Force International will have its March meeting at 6:15 p.m. Thursday at Community Hospital, in the downstairs conference room.

The non-profit worldwide travel exchange club is celebrating its 37th anniversary this year. FFI members serve as U.S. ambassadors who travel as a group to other countries where they are welcomed by FFI club members and hosted in their homes. In turn, area members share the local culture and show off the beautiful scenery with our Western hospitality to ambassadors from other parts of the world.

Submit your Planner and community news items by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), by fax at 244-8578, or by mail to P.O. Box 668, Grand Junction, CO, 81502. Items to be considered for Your Town should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.